Two Arrested After $102 Million Louvre Jewel Heist

LONDON — French authorities arrested two men in connection with a $102 million jewel heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, the French National Police confirmed on October 26, 2025. The arrests come amid a nationwide manhunt for the robbery suspects.

One suspect was detained at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport while attempting to board a flight to Algeria on Saturday night. The police did not provide details about the second suspect’s arrest, but both men are believed to hail from Seine-Saint-Denis, a suburban area in northeastern Paris.

The theft occurred on the morning of October 19, shortly before the museum was set to open to visitors. Thieves made off with valuable items, including crowns and necklaces, some of which were historically tied to Emperor Napoleon and his wife. Paris public prosecutor Laure Beccuau said the estimated value of the stolen goods is around $102 million.

According to a police statement, the thieves used a ‘mobile freight elevator’ to gain access to the museum. They secured the area with construction cones and accessed the Apollo Gallery by breaking a window with an angle grinder. Once inside, they smashed display cases containing the jewels in less than four minutes.

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned the heist as an ‘attack on cherished heritage’ and promised that law enforcement would catch those responsible. Culture Minister Rachida Dati described the operation as ‘simple, but spectacular.’

After the robbery, investigators noted that the thieves fled on scooters and traveled through central Paris, last seen heading southeast on Highway A6. Criticism has emerged regarding the museum’s security protocols, which some officials have deemed inadequate. A preliminary report revealed that one-third of the areas raided lacked CCTV coverage.

The Louvre has since heightened security measures and has relocated its most precious items to a secure vault at the Bank of France.